Dorothy M Leier died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family at home on Monday, October 8th in Apex NC at the age of 80. She resided in Raleigh NC with her husband, George until his passing in 2016.

Dorothy is survived by three wonderful children, George Leier III of Maryland, Margaret Elizabeth Leier and Karen Ann Leier Kuhns both residing in Raleigh, NC and their respective families.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years George Leier Jr. and by her parents Herbert and Margaret Grill.

Dorothy was born in the Bronx, NY to Herbert and Margaret Grill on April 16, 1938. She attended Catholic school and graduated high school from Holy Name in NYC. She graduated at the top of her class from Wood School in New York and worked as an Executive Assistant with various companies primarily IBM ending her work tenure in NY working as an Executive Assistant with the Office of the Commissioner of Westchester County, NY. Upon her marriage, she moved to Rye, NY and raised three children who were the focus of her love and energy in addition to her husband. She volunteered and was very active in the life of her family who meant the world to her. At home she cared for her husband, children and their friends, at school she volunteered her time freely, and she volunteered her time generously in various capacities at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Larchmont, NY where she and her husband baptized and raised their children. Her friends and neighbors remember her as a champion of the underdog, always willing to help; her closest neighbor dubbed her the “Crusader Rabbit.”

She and her husband moved to Raleigh in 1982. They were both communicants at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Raleigh, NC. She brought her Mom to live with her when she moved to Raleigh and cared for her in her home until her passing. Following a 1983 airplane crash in which her husband and daughter were severely injured, she devoted herself to their care. She then returned to work as an Executive assistant at Paul B Williams company and onsite at IBM. Additionally, she volunteered her time to help her dear friend diagnosed with cancer by running her store which consigned and sold gently used items for children.

Her love of children was evident in all she did. She enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great grandchild immensely and loved them dearly. They held her heart always.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital in memory of her, as this organization was very close to both her and her husband’s heart.